Axle and axle-box.



No. 636,876. Patented N`0v. I4, |899. H. P. WELLS &0. MOBHILL/ AXLE ANDAXLE BOX.

(Application led July 11, 1899.,

'No Mode'l.)

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m RN WWA/5335s UNITED STATES ATENT Tricia.-

I'IARLAN P. WELLS AND OSGOOD MORRILL, OF AMESBURY, MASSACHUSETTS;

AXLE AN D AXLE-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Parent No. 636,676, dated November14, 189e.

Application filed July 1l, 1899. 'Serial No. 723,492. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, HABLAN P. WELLS and OSGOOD MORRILL, citizens of theUnited States, residing at Amesbury, in the county of Essex and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAxles and Axle-Boxes, of which the following is. a speciiicationsufficiently full, clear, and accurate to enable those skilled in theart to make and use the same.

The main object of our invention is the production of an axle andaxle-box adapted to receive and retain 'a lubricant and to distributethe same uniformly between the surfaces in frictional contact when thewheel is revolved, the construction of the said axle and box being suchthat the lubricant cannot escape at the ends or dust and dirt enter.

A further object is the production of an axle and box provided with areservoir for holding a relatively large quantity of lubricant, saidreservoir to be in direct communication with the axle by a plurality ofopenings preferably arranged in series.

A further object is the production of an axle and box adapted to holdalubricant, the construction being such that the lubricant which isdistributed to the inner ends of the axle and box will be returned bygravity to the reservoir.

Finally and generally our object is the production of an axle and boxadapted for automatic lubrication when the wheel is revolved and whichshall possess the characteristics of simplicity of construction,durability, and eficiency in operation.

With these ends in view our invention consists in certain noveltiesofconstruction and combinations and arrangement of parts hereinafter setforth, and pointed out in the claims.

The accompanying drawing illustrates one example of the physicalembodiment of our invention made by the best mode we have so far devisedfor the application of the principle.

The single figure shows a longitudinal sectional elevation view of theabove-mentioned example, the combined axle and axle-box being united andthe constituent parts some- 5o what enlarged, so as to more clearlyindicate the construction and arrangement.

Referring to the iigure, the letter A designates the axle, which in thisinstance is solid; B, the axle-box as a whole; C, -a threaded opening inthe end of the axle; D, a ball-bearing cage provided with a threaded endwhich is adapted to fit the threaded opening O in the axle; E, athreaded cap'which when in position holds the ring of the ball-bearingcage immovably against the end of the box, completely closes the endopening of the box, and prevents the outward flow of the lubricant andlikewise the entrance of dust or dirt; F, a circular collar of largerdiameter than the axle and of the general shape illustrated; G, alongitudinal groove in the top of the axle, and H a hole extending fromthe bottom of the groove G entirely through the body of the axle.

The letter I designates the outer shell or wall of the axle-box; J, theinner shell or wall of the same.

K L M N are spacing-rings located between the shells I and J, as shown,two rings being interposed between the walls at opposite ends and theothers disposed intermediate and at about equal distance from the ends.

O designates two series of holes made in the rings L M, wherebylubricant can circulate throughout the reservoir formed by theunoccupied space between the outer and inner walls.

P designates a series of holes made through the inner wall J adjacentthe ring K at the outer ends of the axle and box; Q, a series of holesmade through the inner wall J adjacent the spacing-ring N at the innerend of the box.

R are three series of holes made through the inner wall of the box, eachseries being located between two spacing-rings, as shown.

S S are circular outwardly projecting flanges concentric with theaxle-box, one being located at each end of the box.

T are spokes secured to or seated in the flanges S S in any desirableway.

U is a circular groove made in the inner end of the box and within whichis fitted the collar'll` of the axle.

V designates a flange, which forms'one wall of the groove U at the innerend of the box and the edge of which abuts against the perpendiculariiange which unites the axle proper and the collar; W, a circular recessIOO between the collar F and the axle proper, adapted to receive theiiange V; and X is an open space formed between the axle and the iiangeV when the axle and box are united.

The following novel features of construction and arrangement areespecially to be noted, to wit: The series of holes R, located betweenthe spacing-rings L and M, register with the hole H, made in the axle.The inner end of the groove G is in open communication with the openspace X, between the axle and the ilange V, at the inner end of the box.The holes Q afford communication between the reservoir proper and theopen space X, before mentioned, and the collar F is in direct frictionalcontact throughout with the walls forming the groove U.

The mode of operation is as follows: The lubricant having beenintroduced into the reservoir in any way-preferably through the holes P,when 'the cap and ball-bearing cage are removed-and the wheel revolved,the same is carried around with the box and distributed uniformly to themain part of the axle through the series of holes R. Some of thelubricant will pass through the holes P and lubrioate theball-thrust-bearing cage and some will also reach the open space X atthe inner end of the box. Part of the lubricant in this open space Xwill, under the action of gravity, flow through the hole Q at the bottomback into the reservoir or space between the inner and outer shells, andthe remaining portion will be carried to the top of the axle and flowinto the groove G and then pass to the hole H. There is thus a constanttendency to work the lubricant from the space X to the reservoir andthus prevent its exudation around the collar F to the outside of thebox. Part of the lubricant which is carried to the top of the axleintermediate of the ends will also be collected by the groove G and flowdownwardly through the hole H to the inner surface of the wall J andintermittently pass to the reservoir by way of the holes R.

While we have shown only one example of the physical embodiment of ourinvention, we do not thereby intend that such example shall be exhaustedof it, inasmuch as the same may be embodied in other forms and by othermodes. Minor changes in construction may likewise be introduced at thediscretion of the manufacturer. For instance, a common nut may besubstituted for the ball-bearing cage to hold the axle in the box, thespacing-rings K L M N be separate or integral with either shell, theanges S S', either or both, be made separate from the outer shell, andother colorable modifications made at will. These and otherunsubstantial alterations we intend to embrace within the scope of ourclaims.

What we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. An axle and an axle-box; the former provided at the inner end with aflanged collar, F, and at the outer end with means for holding the samewithin the box; and the latter' comprising inner and outer walls andhaving a groove, U, to receive the collar, a reservoirforaluhricantbetweenits walls,holes through the inner wall, and meansfor completely closing the end of the box to prevent the exudation ofthe lubricant and the entrance of dirt or dust; in substance as setforth.

2. An axle and an axle-box; the formerhaving a collar closely fittingwithin a groove at the end of the latter, and also provided withattaching means at the outer end; and the latter consisting of twoconcentric shells or walls united adjacent the ends by spacing-rings,the inner shell being provided with holes for the passage of alubricant, and a removable cap secured to the end of the box andcompletely closing the same; in substance as set forth.

3. The combination with an axle, ofan axlebox, said box consisting oftwo concentric shells or walls united by spacing-rings, the inner shellhaving series of perforations, and holes, Q, communicating with space Xat one end; and means for closing the ends of the box to prevent theescape of the lubricant normally held in the open space between theshells or walls; in substance as set forth.

4. The combination with an axle of an axlebox constructed substantiallyas set forth; said box consisting of two shells or walls spaced apart,and having an opening, P, for the introduction of lubricant between theWalls; holes through the inner shell or wall and a cap, E, detachablysecured to the box; in substance as set forth.

5. The combination with an axle of an axlebox constructed substantiallyas set forth; said box consisting of two shells separated byspacing-rings, K, L, M, N, the rings, L, M, having grooves or notches,O, and the inner shell provided with holes, R; in substance as setforth.

6. The combination with an axle of an axle'- box constructedsubstantially as set forth; said box comprising inner and outer wallsand having a reservoir for lubricant between its walls, and holes, Q, atone end, one of said walls having a flange V, said holes communieatingwith the circular space, X, between the axle and the said ange; insubstance as set forth.

7. The combination with an axle of an axlebox constructed substantiallyas set forth; said axle having a groove, G, and hole, H, and said boxprovided with a reservoir for lubricant, and holes for distributing thesame to the axle; in substance as set forth.

8. The combination with an axle of an axlebox constructed substantiallyas set forth; the axle having a groove, G, and hole, H, and the said boxhaving'a reservoir for lubricant, and holes, R, registering with thehole, H; in substance as set forth.

9. The combination with an axle of an axlebox; said axle having agroove, G, communieating at one end with the space, X, and with IOO IIO

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the hole, H, and the box provided With a reservoir for lubricant, andholes for distributing the same to the axle; in substance as set forth.

10. The combination with an axle of an axlebox and a cap; said boxhaving a groove, U, a threaded end, a reservoir forlubricant, and holes,P; the axle having a collar, F, and means for holding it within the box;and the cap provided with threads for engaging the threaded end of thebox 5 in substance as set forth.

1l. An axle having a ball thrust-bearing in combination with a boxcomprising inner and outer Walls constituting a reservoir for lubricant,and holes P leading from the reservoir to the ball thrust-bearing; and acap to retain the lubricant; in substance as set forth.

l2. The combination with an axle, of an axle-box consisting of tWoconcentric shells united by spacing-rings, the inner shell hav- 'ingperforations and the rings provided With .holes O; a cap at the outerend of the box,

and means at the inner end of the axle and b'o'x to prevent theexudation of lubricant; in substance as set forth.

13. The combination of an axle having a ball thrust-bearing at theouter-end; an axlebox comprising an outer shell and a perforated innershell forminga reservoir for lubricant and having passages from thereservoir to the ball-bearing and a cap, E,entirely closing the outerend of the box; in substance as set forth.

In testimony whereof We affix our signatures in presence of twoWitnesses.

HABLAN P. WELLS. OSGOO'D MORRILL.

Witnesses:

GEORGE H. BRIGGS, DELL W. DOLBIER.

